I have played in the contest for maybe a total of 2 hours thus far,
mostly on 10 and 15, but a little time on 20 earlier today, and a half
hour or so on 40 meters on Friday night.
I too am running 100 watts, since that's all the power I have.
The only time I ever hear the obvious big gun stations call cq in any
contest is when there is a lull in the number of stations calling
them. This usually occurs just as the band is beginning to open, and
when it is about to close. Or, as often happens when 10 meters is open
to a limited area, when the big gun has more or less worked every
station on the band. Yesterday, for instance, I think I worked every
station in South America that was on 10 meters. Several times I would
hear some pretty amazing signals from down there call cq repeatedly,
and maybe get answered by 1 station every minute or so.
As for hunt and pounce, I think there is an unwritten rule somewhere
that states: "If you are caught hunting and pouncing, you are no
longer a certified big gun." They simply don't operate that way.
Hunt and pounce is my preferred method of operation, especially for
field day. I tune the band, pouncing on the big signals first, then
the next layer, etc. That's exactly what I have done this weekend, and
haven't called cq at all.
I have heard many stateside stations calling cq, especially on 20 and
40 meters, and a few on 15. Most of those I have heard calling go
unanswered for several calls.
What breaks me up is this now accepted practice of calling and
acknowledging stations at a reasonable speed, then stepping on the
passing gear as it were when the report is sent. Some of these clowns
really get carried away with that burst of speed. Yeah, I know the
logic behind the practice; more contacts per minute. Everybody knows
they are getting a 59 report anyway, so don't waste any more time than
necessary to send it. Nevertheless, I still think it's somewhat of a
hot dog mentality.
Go ahead and call me an "Old Buzzard." I'll wear the title with a
proud Smile!
K5XU
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 10:21 AM
Subject: Some thoughts on the ARRL International DX CW Contest
Hi, all.
I suspect I spent approximately 9 hours of operating time this
week-end,
playing in the ARRL International DX CW contest, and my results were
somewhat disappointing.
I have some thoughts on the contest, and would like the reactions of
others
as well.
To give you background, I decided to stick to 100 watts, since it was
a CW
contest. I used my Alpha Delta DXCC antenna, and operated on 10, 15,
20,
and 40 meters.
Band conditions weren't the greatest, in my opinion, but I have seen
worse.
Here's where my disappointment comes in:
I did mainly S and P work, which is where I got most of my contacts.
However, I did spend some time sending out CQ's on the various bands,
with
only a handful of contacts.
To me, the contest seemed like more of a situation where big gun DX
stations
were competing with one another to get the highest score, with very
few DX
stations actually roaming out there trying to give contacts to folks
like us
from the states. It also seemed like there were not terrific numbers
of US
stations calling CQ.
I guess the whole contest environment seemed a bit strange to me.
Then again, I'm the first to admit that I'm a relative newby to
contesting,
and therefore, have very much to learn.
Anyway, I'd be interested in the thoughts and experiences of others
who
might have played in the contest this week-end, or in previous years.
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
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